STUDENTS aged between 12-17 living in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin will be offered a second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine at their school from this week.

Prior to the Christmas break, all schools in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin had been visited at least once, when 12-15 year olds were offered their first dose of the vaccine.

Once again, the local NHS is working with the local School Aged Immunisation Service (SAIS) to deliver this part of the vaccination programme.

Michelle Murray, one of the Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin’s Covid Vaccination Programme Team’s clinical leads, said: “It’s great for us to be back at schools in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin delivering first and second doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.

"This additional protection is crucial for our young people, particularly as we fight against the Omicron variant of the virus.

“The Covid-19 vaccines have demonstrated they are safe and effective in this age group and vaccination offers the best chance of protecting young people from the virus and preventing further disruption to their education.”

Angie Wallace, senior responsible officer for the vaccination programme in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, added: “The schools vaccination programme in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin made excellent progress towards the end of last year.

"We were delighted that so many young people had taken up the offer of vaccination – and we’re pleased that the response to second doses for our 12-17 year olds in schools has been met with the same levels of positivity.

“I would like to remind young people and parents that those aged 12-17 years old can also attend certain clinics outside of school time, if they prefer.”

Parents, guardians, or carers of children aged 12-17 will receive letters via their children's school, with details of when second vaccinations will be offered.

They will be asked to provide consent for their child to receive their first or second vaccination.

Vaccination sites for 12-17 in north Shropshire are at Gobowen's Orthopaedic Hospital and the Old Chapel Pharmacy in English Walls in Oswestry.